[NSRCA-discussion] AMA Sequences

[J N Hiller]

Hi All.
This is a duplication of a previous reply which when I received it appeared
within a previous reply. Here is a clean post.

I didn't remember how Expert Turnaround came about so I dug out my old
rulebooks last night.
As stated in a previous e-Mail the schedules were Novice, Sportsman,
Advanced, Masters (12-M K=42 Ka=3.5), and Expert Turnaround (17-M K=36
Ka=2.12). I found this class structure in the 1990 / 91 rulebook. In an
effort to better understand the evolution of this I checked adjacent
rulebooks.
The 1988 / 89 schedules were Novice, Sportsman, Advanced, Expert (M-13 K=42
Ka=3.23) and Masters. This appears to have been the last year Masters fliers
built their own schedule. 12 airborne maneuvers (takeoff & landing were not
judged), from a list of 37 available, that gave a minimum of 450 points
(M-12 K=45 minimum Ka=3.75).
The 1992 / 93 (first full turnaround year) schedules were
Novice (M-9 K=15 Ka=1.67), Sportsman (M-11 K=21 Ka=1.91), Advanced (M-15
K=31 Ka=2.07) and Masters (M-23 K=66 Ka=2.87).
 Sportsman and Advanced both exited the box for reorientation during the
sequence and all classes had scored takeoff and landing.
At first glance it appears that the 90/91 Masters with a somewhat higher
average K-factor was comparable to the previous Expert and the Expert
turnaround was to test the 'Turnaround' waters and the following rule cycle
dropped Expert initiating the 4-class venue we now fly.
2007
Sportsman (M-17 K=26 Ka=1.53), Intermediate (M-19 K=41 Ka=2.16), Advanced
(M-19 K=48 Ka=2.53) and Masters (M-23 K=67 Ka=2.91)
 Things of interest:
I included the average K-Factor as a general reference because the higher
total K-Factor resulting from added maneuvers in the lower classes. As
pointed out in other posts the total or average K-Factor may be a poor
indicator of overall difficulty. I guess if you can fly your schedule
inverted, schedules with several inverted maneuvers would be less
challenging. K-Factors don't appear to include inverted flight difficulty. I
hope I got all those numbers right. I am accustomed to computers generating
numbers for me.
Thanks for the trip back guys. It has been a fun trip, both ways.
I hope you find something of interest in this.
Sun is out of the box, I have got to go.
Jim Hiller